Some test mules are more revealing then others. The more distinct and finished they look, the closer to reality and production they probably are. The more covered, ugly, random, and indistinct they look, the more likely they're early concepts and tests. . . far from production. At least, this is how it's been in the past, for decades now.

Yes you are correct. BUT, I just want to say that the C- pillar looks a little awkward.... a big rear quarter window and not a big enough pillar to support it. The current e60 looks proportionate, this one looks a little cartoonish

What if one of these test drivers was held up at gun point, forced to give up the car or else they're dead? Then the robber takes off with the car to a desolate garage/area of some sort.

Ha-ha...yeah that is funny,
...but what would be funnier would be the look on the gunman's face when he is suddenly chased by the cops, Feds , helicopters, etc. ....just about a few minutes or so after the GPS system BMW has built into that prototype instantly tells them that the car isn't going where its supposed to.

Can't wait for the F10, car will be awesome, especially if you can swing that 400 hp V8.

Whats up with that rear door window. One looks uber small, and the other really small.
And since when did BMWs come with ferrari taillights?

Once again, those this car is in FULL DISGUISE. Those "tail lights" are covering what is underneath, which would be the actual tail lights. They don't want you to see what the car looks like, so they have covered the entire car, inside and out, with panels to disguise it.

You guys sure don't read the thread (you know who I'm talking about). This thing is completely disguised. There's little to nothing that one can decipher from it. God, wait a little bit for some press info or some less camoflouged units please.

Look at the small portion of uncovered steel behind the rear window. You can see the bone line move quickly behind the rear window. I don't think I have ever seen this line on a car decklid before. This is new. I predict that we are going to have a new trunk design to get used to. Actually my mental image is quite good.

I'm dying to see more. This is fun. I applaud BMW and Chris B. for their daring and controversial design. He pushes the envelope and assures that all others are relegated to petty critique and being forever followers. Every new luxury car on the market currently has adopted his 'ugly' 7 series decklid in one form or another.

I will continue to watch all other autos in my rearview mirror...an effect of both the performance of my BMW, and the design of it to!

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Had a 335i. It was a highway missile. Traded to a 135i. It's a go-cart on steroids.

Look at the small portion of uncovered steel behind the rear window. You can see the bone line move quickly behind the rear window. I don't think I have ever seen this line on a car decklid before.

Wow, that IS a really good catch. That piece is exposed because they probably can't open the trunk too easily otherwise.

It almost seems like the C-Pillar isn't going to flow immediately down into the quarter panel and trunk-lid....like its going to have its own curved out 'pedestal' or step, so to speak. Seems much more different than before, anyway.

Whats up with that rear door window. One looks uber small, and the other really small.
And since when did BMWs come with ferrari taillights?

these tail-lights are not the actual tail-lights...its just an add on and its there just to serve the purpose of braking lights. the actual lights are covered. they revealed a small part of the actual one (a line on the trunk) possibly because those are reflectors.

this will be an amazing car. look at all the new ones that came out - the e92, the x5, the x6, the 1 series....all are gorgeous...and BMW knows that the 5 series is their ultimate benchmark model. Im telling you guys, just wait...u'll drool over this when its revealed. BMWs dont go wrong.

and as for stealing the car. BMW is monitoring every inch of it. Thats why they are testing it. Its not just the driver himself, there's a whole panel of engineers watching every move.

+1 more emphasis on the old, not sure if I like the way it looks. But I'm sure thats just a cobbled together preproduction piece and they will clean it up nicely for the finished product. The screens at the bottom are sick!!